Jeremiah has continued to warn Israel/Judah of their coming destruction as a result of their behavior: straying from God, worshipping idols. There is hope for those that accept their punishment, those that surrender to the Chaldeans will eventually be redeemed after their exile and returned and made prosperous. Eventually, the Lord will send His righteous branch to reign over Zion. Even when we stray from the Lord, there is hope for us, if only we rely on His salvation and return to walk in His ways.
Passage:
Jeremiah 13-26
Discovered:
- There will be severe drought because of your sin – the Lord will not hear their prayers or accept their offerings. They will be destroyed by famine, pestilence and sword.
- Jeremiah tried to intercede for them.
- The prophets who say there will be no sword or famine are not from God, they are lying.
- Four kinds of destroyers: sword to kill, dogs to tear, birds of air and beasts of earth to devour and destroy because of Mannasseh’s evil.
- Lord: You have rejected me, so I will destroy you.
- To Jeremiah: Do not take a wife of have children or share in mourning – I have taken my peace, constant love and mercy from Israel.
- Why? Your fathers have forsaken me and you have done worse than your fathers.
- Eventually, I will restore Israel but first I must doubly repay their sin (idol worship).
- Your wealth and treasure will be given as spoil, you will lose your heritage and serve your enemies.
- Jeremiah pleads for deliverance from enemies.
- Lord: buy a flask from potter and take elders to valley of son of Hinnom and tell them just as you break a flask, I will break Jerusalem.
- Israel will resort to cannibalism (eating flesh) during the siege.
- Pashhur the priest beat Jeremiah and put him in the stocks. Jeremiah responded: Lord will give Judah to Babylon and told Pashhur he would watch his friends be killed and house captured by Babylon.
- Even though I face ridicule, I will continue to do as the Lord asks.
- King Zedekiah sought the Lord about Nebuchadezzer -> the Lord Himself would fight against Judah – those who surrendered would live.
- Tell the house of David, I will punish you according to your deeds.
- Tell household of King of Judah – obey my words or I will destroy your household.
- To the sons of Josiah – your father was just and righteous but you seek violence and dishonest gain.
- To Jehoiakim: I will deliver you into the hands of those you fear including Nebuchadezzer.
- My shepherds will suffer consequences for driving my flock away, but I will gather the remnant and send a righteous branch (Jesus) to shepherd, rule as king.
- Lying prophets and priests who brought false hope will have disaster.
- You can not hide your actions from the Lord. I see your lies.
- Those who respond that the burden is the Lord will be cast away.
- Vision of 2 baskets: good figs & rotten figs. Good figs: those taken by Chaldeans I will bring back and build up, but the bad figs: Zedekiah, officials and the remnant who stay will know sword, famine and pestilence.
- 23 years, I tried to get you to repent but you refused, so I will send tribes from north (Nebuchadezzer) to lay waste, will serve Babylon 70 years.
- Jeremiah was told to tell court: If you don’t obey my law, I will curse your city.
- Officials wanted to kill Jeremiah, but an elder stood up for him saying others have prophesied the same thing.
Help me to remember:
Despite warnings, Israel has confirmed their fate, but promises redemption through Christ.
Lord, I ask that . . .
I am able to discern between those that come from you and those that lie.
Heavenly Father, I am thankful for . . .
the promise of your return – reign of Jesus as King.
